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Book Review: Smoke and Scar, by Gretchen Powell Fox

I was recently lucky enough to win a giveaway on Instagram that included a copy of Gretchen Powell Fox‘s Smoke and Scar. (Does it not have the most gorgeous cover?)

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Birthed in shadow. Forged in fire.

A Splintered Kingdom

An ancient grudge has kept humans and the magical races of Arcanis at odds for centuries. The Arcane Crucible, a legendary series of trials that occurs every 25 years, offers a chance for peace.

A Haunted Warrior

Elyria Lightbreaker, once a celebrated fae war hero, is a shadow of her former self. Drowning in grief after losing the man she loved to the previous Crucible, now she must rise to stop his sister from falling to the same fate.

A Vengeful Knight

Hardened by loss and fueled by hate, Cedric Thorne’s lifelong goal to conquer the Crucible on humanity’s behalf is finally within reach. The only problem? Getting through the trials alive means working with Elyria—the very fae he blames for his parents’ deaths.

An Unwinnable Challenge

With alliances fragile as spun glass and betrayal lurking at every turn, Elyria and Cedric must navigate deadly trials that test their strength, spirit, and magic… as well as their increasingly complex feelings for each other.

This is the Arcane Crucible.

my review

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Admittedly, it took me a little while to really get into it. I was flat out uncertain about the beginning. But once all the characters came together, I was locked in. The story is of a fairly mundane quest sort. Think high fantasy with magical challenges and physical hardships, etc. But I enjoyed the banter between Elyria and Cedric. I liked that she’s the more powerful one and he the Damsel in Distress, so to speak (though I do wonder if the author will step back from that in future books, the setup is there). I liked the side characters, the world seems interesting, and the book is just easy to read. This despite heavy themes of forgiveness, accepting oneself, learning to let go of prejudice, and seeing value in diversity, changing your mind when presented with new information, corruption, and the cost of trauma (even on otherwise good people), etc. There is a lot going on under the surface of this story.

I did find some aspects of it a little predictable, and though Elyria does control shadows, I wouldn’t say she carries the dark “shadow daddy” vibes some of the book’s PR led me to expect. There also isn’t any sex. I mentioned it in case that’s something that matters to you. I did not miss it.

All in all, I’ll be looking forward to the next one.

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Other Reviews:

Vellichor Vibes: Smoke and Scar, by Gretchen Powell Fox

 

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Book Review: The Forgotten Empires, by Jeffe Kennedy

Several years ago, I won a copy of Jeffe Kennedy‘s The Fiery Crown. As a second book in a then-unfinished series, it has sat on my shelf ever since. But I am making an effort to read more of my physical books. So, I borrowed The Orchid Throne from the library, and when they did not have a copy of The Promised Queen, I purchased one.

A PRISONER OF FATE

As Queen of the island kingdom of Calanthe, Euthalia will do anything to keep her people free—and her secrets safe—from the mad tyrant who rules the mainland. Guided by a magic ring of her father’s, Lia plays the political game with the cronies the emperor sends to her island. In her heart, she knows that it’s up to her to save herself from her fate as the emperor’s bride. But in her dreams, she sees a man, one with the power to build a better world—a man whose spirit is as strong, and whose passion is as fierce as her own…

A PRINCE AMONG MEN

Conrí, former Crown Prince of Oriel, has built an army to overthrow the emperor. But he needs the fabled Abiding Ring to succeed. The ring that Euthalia holds so dear to her heart. When the two banished rulers meet face to face, neither can deny the flames of rebellion that flicker in their eyes—nor the fires of desire that draw them together. But in this broken world of shattered kingdoms, can they ever really trust each other? Can their fiery alliance defeat the shadows of evil that threaten to engulf their hearts and souls?

my review

I’m going to write a single review for this whole series, since it is a single story. Each book picks up just as the last ends.

I adored this wholly. There was a moment in book three when I thought Kennedy brought in some pointless kink to write to the market, and I was annoyed. But even that turned out not to be pointless after all. So, I basically just loved all of this.

Con and Lia are marvelous characters. He’s just the Goodest of Good Boys when he’s not being a dangerous, murderous rebel. She’s smart and poised. She’s also 26, if I remember correctly, and he is of a similar age. So, they’re full adults. There’s no young or new adult angst over self-discovery or sex. Nor is there any artificial misunderstandings or third-act breakup. The side characters are also marvelous and complicated. Ambrose is my favorite, though I enjoyed them all.

True, there isn’t much of a sense of the rest of the world, outside of the immediate happenings the forgotten empires photoof the book. Where did Con’s army go, for example? Once the Illustrious Toad was deposed, what of his court and the regular people? But the world and magic are interesting. The pacing is also, admittedly, uneven. But that was something I noticed, and then I shrugged. It didn’t particularly bother me.

All in all, Jeffe Kennedy (who I’m relieved to discover is not male) is definitely on my watchlist now.


Other Reviews:

Nerd Girl Loves Books: The Forgotten Empires

 

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Book Review: A Delicate Betrayal, by Jessaca Willis

Some time ago, I won a paperback copy of Jessaca WillisA Delicate Betrayal.
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Beloved. Betrothed. Betrayed.

When Aenwyn’s magic unleashes a reign of dragons upon the land, she agrees to marry King Everard to atone for the devastation she’s caused.

Queendom proves to be as dissatisfying as their loveless marriage. But soon fate answers her pleas for adventure with a vision of dragon’s fire and a distractingly handsome knight intent on blocking her path.

Sir Darius Graeme can’t let her flee the castle. But nothing will stop Aenwyn from claiming the dragon’s heart—and perhaps even the knight’s as well.

my review

I will start this review with a little bit of a spoiler. But this, I think, is an important one. This book does not, I repeat, DOES NOT have a happy ending. I went in fully expecting a fantasy romance, and while two people did fall in love, there IS NOT a happy ending for them. So, is it romance at all?

I have mixed feelings about the rest of the book. On the one hand, I liked the characters and appreciated that Aenwyn was capable and take-charge about her fate/duty (maybe even a little femme-dommy). Darius remained fairly flat, honestly, until the end. But I appreciate that he’s loyal and not any sort of alpha a-hole. On the other hand, I found the patriarchal worldbuilding and social (mis)treatment of women boring and unimaginative. Plus, the story took a long time to really get going, and I was confused about the role the dragons were meant to have played.

All in all, an OK read. It’s not topping my favorites list, but I’m not sad to have read it.

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Other Reviews:

{Review} A Delicate Betrayal by Jessaca Willis